New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Match Prediction & Betting Tips
The Kiwis take on the Lions in a crucial clash of what has been a sensational World Cup so far, at least when the rain has steered clear! We go into in-depth analysis on all the action in our full match preview below, where we endeavour to bring you the best New Zealand vs Sri Lanka betting tips, live cricket satta rates, and stats.
The game begins from 1.30 pm IST on Saturday 29th October at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Betting Tips - New Zealand To Win
What is it about the World Cup and New Zealand? When they’re on the big stage, you know you’re going to get a good performance from Kane Williamson and his charges - that is why our New Zealand vs Sri Lanka betting tips are veering to a win for the Kiwis.
A battering of Australia in their opener has really set a precedent in this tournament - and the performance of young Finn Allen, who hit 42 runs from just 16 deliveries, means the Kiwis have shortened in the outright market for the World Cup.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are blowing hot and cold in a way only Sri Lanka can! An opening day defeat to Namibia has been rectified by some good wins in qualifying and a fine display against Ireland. They were demolished by Australia, but can they continue the yo-yoing with a bounce back victory here?
We don’t think so - the premium pick of our free cricket betting tips is a win for the Kiwis. You can back them at odds of 1.41 with Pure Win, while the Lions are out at 2.84.
Best Bet: Finn Allen Top New Zealand Run Scorer
If you didn’t know the name, you do now! It was a blistering start to the young man’s World Cup career - carting bowlers from your closest international rivals to all parts of the park is some way to introduce yourself to an international audience. You wouldn’t be surprised to hear of an Indian Premier League franchise to come calling off the strength of that innings alone!
Her bashed 42 runs to help his side get off to the best possible start against the Aussies, laying the groundwork for the likes of man of the match Devon Conway (92 from 58 balls) and Jimmy Neesham (26 from 13 balls) to wreak carnage later in the innings.
His average strike rate stands at 172.78 - enough to raise the eyebrows of many a cricket punter - and he should have licence to go after a leaky Sri Lankan bowling attack.
In Devon Conway, he has the perfect foil - of all the players who have scored more than 2,000+ career runs in this format, Finn Allenn has the best strike rate and Devon Conway has the best average (45.38).
We are pricing him up generously to finish top run scorer for the Kiwis - you can back him at odds of 5.3.
New Zealand Aim To Put Heartache in the Past!
In recent times, the Kiwis have been doing well in limited-over tournaments. However, when it comes to getting over the line, they can be found wanting.
Last year’s Twenty20 World Cup finalists may have exacted sweet revenge over the Baggy Greens, but the defeat would have felt extra fresh for the Black Caps, who suffered an excruciating Super Over defeat to England in the ODI World Cup in 2019.
The common enemy of every single team in this tournament has been the weather - in the month of October, there has been double the amount of rainfall in Melbourne than is standard.
However, the skies look set to stay clear in Sydney, as the Black Caps aim to pick up where they left off after a few days kicking their heels!
Player to Watch: Trent Boult
The Sydney Cricket Ground is generally helpful to seam bowlers, and in Trent Boult, the Kiwis have one of the best exponents of the fast-bowling conditions in world cricket.
He has 68 wickets in 41 T20 games, averaging 22.41 per wicket. His record against Sri Lanka reads just as impressively in this format, with six wickets from three games at an average of 12.83.
It may be one of the more obvious shouts, but we think Boult to be top wicket taker for New Zealand is the obvious bet. You can get odds of 2.7 on the experienced pacer to repay the faith!
Predicted Playing XI
Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santer, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
Can the Lions Roar Back?
An incredibly disappointing defeat to Australia means Sri Lanka’s topsy-turvy tournament continues - and they need the win here to keep their hopes of qualification from the group alive.
In fairness, they have had an unprecedented injury crisis to deal with, compounded by a few new ailments in the aftermath of the defeat to Australia.
Binura Fernando with Asitha Fernando are both out of the World Cup squad - adding their names to a list which includes Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Danushka Gunathilaka, and Pathum Nissanka, who has since recovered his fitness.
Coming inas cover is pacer Matheesha Pathirana and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella.
Despite the injuries, it’s difficult to entirely write the Lions off. Much like their opponents, they are a tournament team and have won the Asia Cup recently. Self belief is being tested, but they’re still a great side!
Player to Watch: Pathum Nissanka
A phenomenal talent that is likely to form the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s batting unit for years to come, Pathum Nissanka already boasts some pretty exciting stats for someone so young.
He averages more than 30 in Twenty20 cricket, striking the ball at 113.14. He has never played against the Kiwis in this format - we think he’s primed to post a score.
You can back him top finish top of the run-making ranking for Sri Lanka at odds of 3.75.
Predicted Playing XI
Kusal Mendis (w), Pathum Nissanka, Bhanuka Rajapasksa, Kasun Rajitha, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head
In the 18 games these two have played each other, New Zealand narrowly come out on top, winning ten games to Sri Lanka’s eight triumphs.
Despite the Lions emerging victorious in the last game these two contested, New Zealand had won the previous five on the spin.
Rain, Rain, Go Away. Come Again Another Day!
The amount of rain we’ve seen throughout the World Cup has been unprecedented in Australia - especially for this time of year.
Victoria has been particularly hard hit due to a hybrid cyclone which has dumped close to 200 mm in the area.
However, it looks like the skies will stay clear in Sydney!
Conclusion
This one can go to the Black Caps - it’s hard to predict how Sri Lanka will perform, but New Zealand are the obvious favourites after such a convincing win over the hosts first time out!
